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Topic: Post Pictures of Your Bug Out Bags (Read 482381 times)

I have a full Zulu ruck from Kifaru, so it's difficult for me to get it out and about on an every day basis. I work from home half the week as well, so typically for me, if I'm leaving, it's a big problem.

I have 2 pairs of socks in a ziploc, but also wrap alot of other things in socks. My cook pot and a can of sterno go together nicely with a magnet, but a sock put on over them, first one way, then the other, keeps the lids from clattering together, and after use it makes a nice set of pot holders if things get hot!

I might add another dedicated heavy duty ziploc of some sort so I can maybe do actual laundry... that would be neat. boil some water, dump it in the bag, inflate with air, and slosh the socks and undies around to freshen 'em up... then hang near the camp fire.

HumeMan and others on this thread have posted pics about axes in their Bug Out Bags, and I saw that today my favorite blog has a short article about why he doesn't include axes. You can see it at http://bugoutbagquest.blogspot.com/

Yes, for various reasons, the axe has been axed from my bug out bag. The primary being, honestly, when am I ever going to use it?

I do multiple night backpacking trips quite frequently, and I don't even bring one with me then.

Agreed completely, though I replaced it with Cold Steel's Magnum Kukri. It's much lighter weight, and IMO more versatile, while just as potent as a chopping tool. I bring that with me backpacking all the time and love it.

My BOB is too small. My BOB is too big. My BOB is just right. Still trying to find the right bag. I started out with the camelback which would be great but it doesn't have a waist belt. So for any type of extended trek this doesn't work. It's gonna go in the wifes car as a get home bag. The Kelty pack is a bit too big and gets used too frequently for camping. I just picked up the Med Alice pack and frame today for 30 bucks. It's gonna have to do for a while. If fundage weren't an issue, I'd go pick up an ultralight blackhawk pack or something similar. I'll update once I get them loaded up.

Right now, it weighs in at 30 pounds. I would like to make it more modular and reduce its weight to 20 pounds, without giving up too much.

Let's see what really gets used...

A few suggestions if I may...

Lose the hatchet. Replace it with a folding saw. They're far lighter and far more utilitarian.

Replace 3 quarts of your gallon of water with a quality water filter. Collect what water you need along the way. A Katadyn will provide you with 250 liters of water before the filter needs to be replaced. It also weighs a lot less and doesn't slosh in your pack.

You might want to replace your vinyl poncho with a ripstop nylon military surplus one. It is lighter and far more durable.

Right now, it weighs in at 30 pounds. I would like to make it more modular and reduce its weight to 20 pounds, without giving up too much.

Let's see what really gets used...

You could cut some weight and space by repackaging the Maker's Mark to a plastic container just large enough to carry it. I am curious what the reasoning is behind the alcohol in general and the Maker's Mark specifically.

I live in Texas. So, if I am in South or West Texas on business, when I need to get home, or if I do bug out, it would be to south or west Texas as the likely destination. So finding water might more difficult than in other states. But, I do agree to replace the 0.5 liter bottles with a proper water bottle. The backpack also has a place for a camel pack.

mike77,

The Maker's Mark is quite handy. It is a type of Band-Aid, I guess. Great for cuts, cold sores & cold weather. I like Maker's, but it could also be WL Weller. I had a lite weight flask, but it developed a leak around the lid.

I like the hatchet for splitting 2x4s into usable material, and it is a hammer, as well. I also think a saw would be handy, but I bought the hatchet first.

I will keep using the bag and contents to see what works. I appreciate any other feedback!

@TexGuy - I love this space blanket, but I use it primarily in building a shelter; usually in a lean-to configuration. It serves double-duty by keeping rain, snow or wind off of me, while also reflecting the warmth of a fire back onto me. That being said, I do also consider it a "luxury" item in my BOB; my Snugpak gortex bivi/poncho is the workhorse of keeping the elements off of me, but the blanket takes up almost no room, is very lightweight, and actually provides a little extra padding in my pack.

It's 5'x7' with metal grommets in each corner, and can be found in either OD or Blaze Orange. Cost is about $13.00USD.

This space blanket is MUCH heavier duty than the typical "Emergancy Foil Blanket." They are used by SAR (Search and Rescue) teams throughout Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Alaska because they are very light, durable, and reflect heat really well. I've met a fellow hiker who does a lot of backcountry hiking in Arizona and this is the only "shelter" he uses (along with 8 ultralight tent stakes and some 550 cord). The reflective side is useful in signalling rescuers if need be.

My 1st attempt at a BOB for my fiance and I. We need a few more things and I also tried to put stuff in both bags as necessary such as fire starting equipment, eating utensils, medical supplies, etc. Assuming we will never be seperated I let her take most of the light stuff like the food. Anyhow here it is:

My Bag- German Rucksack from Cabela's w/walmart brand cheapo sleeping bag( all I have at the moment)

Everything here looks awesome. I have ony one comment - I don't see too many socks and foot powder here.If you are bugging out, and need to do a lot of hiking, you need to change your socks REGULARLY. Like at least twice a day.

RE: axes. Much better in my opinion is is a short machete a la Tramontina. More versatile and easier to pack.

Although I'm allowed guns (licensed and registered), if transporting them in anything but a box and only opening it up when I get to the shoot site i.e. clay pidgin and pest control (including deer) I'm fairly sure the police would shoot me on sight, but they tend to do that to anyone with a firearm outside of what they see are acceptable areas.

There is no culture of gun ownership in the UK outside of the countryside and even then open carry has never been accepted, I like short machetes as its a useful tool and fast, plus its something that's not going to get me shot by the police if I need it in a SHTF scenario where I need to protect myself from a large group of people.

Okay, so I finally signed up for a Photobucket account and can now share pics of the BOB.... The first pic is of my chest rig and preferred carry items (my mobile armory)... The last pic is a spreadsheet I created a year or so ago when I started prepping (to keep myself on track)... All cells that are shaded in green are actually in the bag (minus the hatchet & 2 machetes, they'll be carried or attached to the outside of the pack)... The cells that are white are items still needed (with an exception of a few, as it needs a little updating)... Enjoy! - MH

OK, I decided that the next thing I needed to do was get a bug out bag done. I bought some stuff, and realized that I need a lot more stuff. The I got to thinking; why do I need a bug out bag and a get home bag. I realized that they were about the same thing and I don't need both. I planned at most 3 days to walk home from work (32 miles). The only difference is the selfdefense. I can't have firearms in my car at work, or weapons for that matter. So, I will be making a separate bag that holds the extras that need to go in there. I made sure to leave enough room to put the extra items in my main bag. The second bag will be next to my wife's bob which will be kept in the house. She has a get home bag in the car but it is only a one day deal.

Alright the pictures:

I have three similar packs of theses. There is about 3000 calories in each.

This also shows my SS water bottle and water tablets.

ClothsThere is a full change of cloths vac sealed, long underwear vac sealed, 3 pairs of socks and underwear in water proof bag, 2 bandannas, 1 pair wool socks.

Here is my most recent attempt at my B.O.B. I will try to include descriptions of what is in the images, but I am sure I will forget something. Things not shown are a nal. bottle, platipus bladder, compass and nav gear. Those are on an external pocket on my straps. Anyway here it is... External to Internal...

Mag Light and carabiner pretty standard 3 day assault pack.

Side of pack showing my CRKT side knife and the drinking tube for my water bladder

Inside one of the side pouches. First Aide, emergency blanket, glow sticks for night nav

Inside the main pouch. More detail to come in the next few photos. There is a cook set in there (with the two jolly rogers on the outer bag) that I will post a more extensive post on later in another forum. I have water purification tablets in the cook kit along with more fire gear, eating gear and a container to boil water in. Food in there too, kind of figured I didn't need to photo the mre's!

This is what is inside the front of the bag. Left side of pic is fire gear. Char cloth, pj balls, LMF striker with signal whistle and a dry bag of tinder and matches. Then duct tape, fishing kit(I'll post it elsewhere) and charcoal. I carry it to not have to light a fire all the time.

Well there it is... I am sure I forgot something, and it is ever changing as it should be!

To me a BOB is to support the bugout trip from home to retreat. Period.http://web.newsguy.com/anozira/anozira1/SiteTops/kits/visualbob.htmI limited it to 30# max since I'm no physical Olympian. Water is a big deal in the desert. Since I made this page, the GPS has been updated as well as the saw - which was awful. Some food added and a few tiny toys. The weight obviously goes on the back.

Shelter/Clothing - 4.5 poundsShelter - 9 pounds1 insulated space blanket for shelter/groundcloth or signaling (red one side/silver the other)2 Large black heavy duty garbage bags (emergency poncho or water collection)Sleeping bag (mine is to 45F, in a garbage bag in a stuff sack)Sleeping bag for baby (the baby's is to 32F, in a garbage bag in a stuff sack)2 - 100% Wool hatBandana100% Wool sweaterWool Army Pants (I know they go to -45F)Wool socksT-shirtHoodie1 sarrong (1,001 uses for it -from towel to sunscreen to privacy to ?)2 sets Baby clothes for my 18 month old (change out every 3 months)Hat (that covers her ears)Tights –warmer than just socks and dry fasterSnowsuit – keeps her super toasty and it kinda waterproof10 diapers in her current size and 20 wet wipes (almost potty trained)1 pair leather gloves1 pair insulated neoprene gloves

Communication/Navigation - 2 poundsAM/FM/SW1/SW2 radio with flashlight (windup & battery)IDSharpie PenFlagging – I used this a lot as a dog handler.NotebookPencilMirror – multiple uses (kept in my first aid kit where it is padded)Metal whistle taped on the edges2 compasses (always have a backup)Topo maps of my 2 BOLs, and the general area near home for 30 mile radius(Working on replacing my 2-way radios- recently found out they corroded from the batteries)2 battery operated candles (I discovered they last a long time and I take them camping in my tent to attend baby at night)Flashlight that doesnt require batteries

NOTE: Everything which is feasible to be, has been packed in quart and gallon sized Ziplock baggies to keep them dry and/or for water collection. They are then packed in black garbage bags inside the pack.

Total Weight: 28 pounds not including the pack that I forgot to weigh when it was empty. With baby in her pack + BOB = 52 pounds total weight I am carrying (guessing backpack is 2 pounds). And yes I can carry it for miles, including up a stairway with 166 steps.